Joshua Boadu murder: Family of trainee engineer stabbed to death call for tougher sentences to tackle knife crime

Joshua Boadu died after being repeatedly stabbed in Bermondsey
METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE
Julia Atherley26 September 2019

The family of a trainee engineer who was fatally stabbed have called for tougher sentences to help tackle ­London’s knife crime epidemic.

Joshua Boadu, 23, was repeatedly knifed in a Bermondsey street in June last year and died in King’s College Hospital 11 days later.

Denilson Davis, 21, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons were convicted of his murder at the Old Bailey this week. They are due to be sentenced on Monday.

Today, Mr Boadu’s father, Frank, praised police for doing a “tremendous job” tracking down his son’s killers.

He added: “I think you’ve got to give tougher sentences. I think if you carry a knife without even intending to use it then you should go to prison … If you kill somebody you have to go for life, life should be life. No matter your age.”

Denilson Davis, 21, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons were convicted of murder
METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE

Mr Boadu’s sister, Lady, 23, said: “The Government needs to put its foot down on this knife issue. It is affecting so many families.”

Apprentice lift engineer Mr Boadu, known as SJ, went to St Joseph’s College in Upper Norwood before studying business at Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College in Wandsworth.

Davis, of Hemel Hempstead and the teenager, of Southwark, hired a car before carrying out the attack in Linsey Street shortly after 6pm on June 11, the court heard. Mr Boadu was pushed against a parked car and surrounded by three males, one of whom stabbed him.

The victim ducked under one of his attackers and sought refuge at a nearby home but had serious injuries.

Police later recovered mobile phone footage of the 16-year-old and the third man involved — who remains at large — in a “celebratory mood” in a recording studio hours after the attack.

Mr Boadu’s mother said: “It wasn’t fair. Our son was a marvellous boy, he had vision and all of a sudden … you can’t just come and take somebody’s life like that. He used to care for the elderly and helped them with their shopping.”

After the trial, Detective Inspector Ian Titterrell said: “We have never been able to establish a motive for this senseless killing. While of course SJ’s family remain devastated, I hope today’s result brings them some comfort.”

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